As the doors to the sanctuary of the First Baptist Church in Bentonville, Ark., on Saturday, Nov. 1 swung open wide and Jessa Duggar, on the arm of her father, Jim Bob, made her way down the aisle in a sweeping, blush-colored princess gown with a billowing train, there was an audible gasp from the more than 1,000 guests in attendance.

But the radiant bride was looking for just one reaction: that of her beaming but noticeably stunned husband-to-be, Ben Seewald, who surreptitiously wiped away a tear before clasping her hands.